WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1730/97 by Esko SEPPÄNEN to the Commission. Nordic cooperation programme and inclusion of the Barents Sea region in Baltic cooperation
Date: 1997-05-23
Institutions: European Parliament, SEPPAENEN
Subjects: Arctic, Baltic States, Northern Europe, Structural Funds, action programme, regional cooperation

C 45/92

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

10. 2. 98

(98/C 45/111)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1730/97

by Esko Seppa¤nen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(23 May 1997)

Subject: Nordic cooperation programme and inclusion of the Barents Sea region in Baltic cooperation

Ever since Arctic cooperation began in the 1960s, the Nordic countries have tried to develop cooperation with the
Barents Sea region. The countries have joined forces in seeking to improve the living conditions of residents of
Europe(cid:146)s  northernmost  regions.  The  main  priorities  of  cooperation  between  the  Barents  Sea  region  and  the
Nordic countries are the economy, trade, science and technology and environmental and infrastructure projects.
In addition, the countries have intensified their mutual contacts by means of cultural events of various kinds and
educational exchanges.

EU  decision-making  is  very  much  focused  on  Mediterranean  cooperation:  attention  has  not  been  similarly
devoted  to  the  development  of  Nordic  cooperation  in  the  EU.  Evidently,  the  opportunities  for  cooperation
presented by the natural-resource-rich Barents Sea region are not yet sufficiently well-known in the EU.

1.  What stage has the Commission(cid:146)s drafting of the Nordic cooperation programme reached?

2.  What prospects does the Commission see for inclusion of the Barents Sea in Baltic cooperation?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(8 July 1997)

1.
The  Commission  attaches  great  importance  to  regional  cooperation  in  the  North  of  Europe.  The
Commission has been closely involved from the beginning in cooperation in both the Barents sea and Baltic and
plays  an  active  role  in  the  Barents  Euro-Arctic  council  (BEAC)  and  the  council  of  Baltic  sea  states  (CBSS).
Community  assistance,  mainly  through  the  Phare,  Tacis  and  Interreg  programmes,  is  being  provided  to  both
these regions, taking into account their specific needs and requirements.

It  is  the  Commission(cid:146)s  understanding  that  the  Baltic  and  Barents  regions  have  each  their  specific  needs  and
concerns, which each require a specific, targeted approach. The BEAC and the CBSS have established contacts
with other regional groupings in Europe, including among themselves. However, the idea of either a merger of
BEAC and CBSS or of regular joint meetings has not been raised in either forum. To the extent that both regions
face  common  issues,  Commission  representatives  ensure  that  the  necessary  co-ordination  takes  place.  In  the
event that BEAC and CBSS would put forward proposals for closer cooperation in particular areas where there
would be significant added value, these will, of course, be examined by the Commission.

As far as work on the cooperation in the Northern regions of the European Union is concerned, following a
2.
report  by  the  Committee  of  the  regions  on  the  Northern  dimension  in  June  1996,  the  Commission  organised
together with the two Member States directly concerned a seminar which took place in Rovaniemi, Finland on 18
March 1997. The purpose of this seminar was to contribute to establishing more clearly the implications of the
(cid:145)Northern dimension(cid:146) for Union policies in general and for the revision of the structural funds in particular.

(98/C 45/112)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1734/97

by Esko Seppa¤nen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(23 May 1997)

Subject: Long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel

1.  What preparations is the Commission making for long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel in the situation
which  will  obtain  after  the  year  2000  when  spent  nuclear  fuel  must  be  transferred  from  temporary  to
permanent storage?